My book had caused a storm. The media hated it, but the more they talked about it, the more copies were picked up by readers around the world.
The critics used harsh words like “this was a waste of time,” “worst book ever published,” and several accused me of having a disturbing imagination.
I’d done interviews but even though the reporters had been polite and nice to me in person, their articles had been critical of my choice of topic.
Ebony had been right: Nmen were considered demonic monsters and my book had become a guilty pleasure no one would admit to reading.
When my phone rang, I considered ignoring it, but being a Motlander, I was too polite for my own good and so I answered it. “May peace surround you.”
“Devina, I have bad news.” It was Ebony and her voice sounded brittle, like she’d been crying.
“What happened?”
“Did they call you yet?”
“Who?”
She sighed. “Oh, sweetie, I don’t know how to tell you this, but we’ve been ordered to unpublishForbidden Letters from the North.”
“Why?”
“Because according to the Council, it’s a dangerous book that preys on the naïve and instills dangerous fantasies in the minds of fragile people.”
I closed my eyes but didn’t say anything.
“Devina, are you still there?”
“Yes, I’m still here.
“It’s a great book, sweetie. It practically sells itself, but the Council is concerned and want it shut down.”
“What exactly are they concerned about? It’s just a book.”
“I asked them the same question and it turns out that some readers have been going to the border searching for bottles and attempting to throw over bottles themselves. The council has had to increase the border patrol and put up more cameras and signs to remind everyone that there are mines. Yesterday a woman took it a step further and instead of throwing over a bottle, she got caught while trying to climb the wall. Unfortunately, she fell down and broke both her legs.”
“Oh no!”
“Yeah, and according to the Council we’re to blame for putting dangerous ideas into these people’s minds.”
“They told you that?”
Ebony sighed again. “They suggested that I should take some time off to reflect upon my part in all of this.” Her voice broke again. “I don’t have time to be away from my business and I don’t want to be by some lake contemplating my part in the universe. I want to be where my friends are and have fun publishing books.”
“I understand.”
“They already dismissed the librarian who according to them made the mistake of approving the book and now they’re going to contact you too.”
I felt all blood sucking out of my face. “They said that?”
“Yeah.”
“Because they think I’m crazy?”
“They didn’t use the word crazy, but they worry that you’re delusional and need help.”
Turning my head, I looked to my entrance door. “How long do I have?”
“Not long.”
